DISTANT MUSIC, one-time favourite to win the 2000 Guineas, attempts to restore his crumbling reputation in the White Rose Stakes on day two of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster today.

Throughout the winter money poured on the Dewhurst winner in expectation of a big run for the colts' classic. But dreams turned to dust when he could manage only eighth spot behind Kings Bests come Guineas Day.

Trainer Barry Hills reckons Distant Music (2.05) has now recovered the spring in his step after enjoying a long rest since May, saying: "When they haven't shown their true form, you have to be easy with them and get them right."

There's a star-studded line-up for the Rothmans May Hill Stakes with a whole host of potentially top-class fillies on show.

Michael Stoute's Karasta is reported to have thrived as a result of her debut victory at Newmarket last month and is bound to be near the front of the betting.

Mick Channon also has a live contender in There's Two (2.35), a smooth-as-silk winner over six furlongs at Goodwood recently.

She's open to any amount of improvement over this extra quarter mile although wagers should be kept to a minimum in such a wide-open heat.

To some extent the popularity of racing relies on the excitement of nip and tuck finishes and spectators are hopefully in for a pulsating finale to the Doncaster Cup.

The nine contestants are extremely tightly matched, with the possible exception of Dominant Duchess (3.10), seemingly on an upward curve having yet to encounter defeat in three outings this season.

It's not often a six-year-old mare improves quite so drastically, nevertheless she has the form in the book to win despite the obvious strength of the opposition.

Jemima (3.40), who didn't give her true running last time out, is given the nod in the Showcase Handicap.

Her eclipse at York was entirely down to a poor tactical ride. Judge the filly on her previous fast-finishing third start at Pontefract and she is entitled to be involved in the shake up.

Along with many other trainers in the south of England, the Sean Woods' stable has been blighted with the virus this term.

Sean reported his progressive juvenile Black Knight returned from an unexpected reverse at Ascot suffering from a bug and the lack-lustre run can therefore be safely ignored.

Black Knight's (4.10) two victories at Folkestone and Beverley prior to that flop were so impressive he is surely worth one more chance in the hands of Frankie Dettori for the Prince Of Wales Nursery.

Branston Fizz (4.40), successful in two of her last three outings, makes plenty of appeal in the closing seven-furlong Ladies Day Handicap.

She absolutely bolted up at Yarmouth, proving once again the tried and trusted formula of supporting fillies once they strike form during the autumn.

Zagaleta (3.50), given far too much ground to make up when second at Lingfield, looks the pick of a hectic afternoon at Chepstow.

l Owner Jenny Powell was celebrating a golden windfall yesterday after Goggles, the horse that failed to find a buyer on three previous occasions, obliged at Doncaster.

Powell's investment in the colt reaped a handsome reward of more than £150,000 as Goggles landed the £200,000 St Leger Yearling Stakes.

She acquired the colt, her first Flat horse, for 19,000 guineas when he went through the sales ring for a fourth time.

Powell likes to give all her horses a name beginning with the letter G' and calls them the 'G-string'.

''This one is a son of Eagle Eyed so Goggles appealed immediately as the obvious name,'' she said.

''We've had this race in mind for him since we bought him and it's great that everything has gone to plan.''

It was bloodstock agent David Minton who bought Goggles for the owner at the Breeze-Up sale.

Minton had been one of the underbidders for the colt on two of the previous occasions he had gone through the ring.

''The first time he was sold he was going to go to Turkey but it emerged that he was ineligible,'' said Minton.

''Then the colt went through the sales ring twice more and didn't find an owner. I knew he was coming up at the Breeze-Up sales and bought him specially for this race.''

Goggles, a 14-1 chance, had established an advantage going into the final furlong under Chris Rutter and hung on by half a length from Reel Buddy.

The 7-4 favourite Mujado was an abject disappointment, trailing in eleventh.

''It's remarkable that a horse of his age should have gone through the sales ring four times,'' said trainer Henry Candy.

''He's a nice type of horse with a bit of class about him. He's not a typical two-year-old and has a reasonable future.

''I'd like to put him to bed for the winter now. He might not be top-class but I'm sure he'll be good enough to go for Group races.''

Compton Banker made up for several near misses when landing a substantial gamble in the Tote Trifecta Portland.

The prospects for the 7-2 favourite, available at 8-1 with the sponsors yesterday morning, did not appear good at the halfway stage of the £30,000 contest.

But he found a devastating change of gear for Frankie Dettori riding his first winner in this race to charge past the opposition.

Striking the front in the final 100 yards Compton Banker was one-length to the good over Delegate at the line.

''He's run consistently for a long time and this is his reward,'' said trainer Gerard Butler.

''Timing is everything with this horse. If you go too soon he's likely to be caught in the closing stages. Once he gets going he goes into overdrive.''

Compton Banker may tackle the Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday week but Butler warned that he needs decent ground